In the dying moments of stoppage time, the supersub Federico Gatti emerged because the savior, netting an important equalizer to salvage a hard-fought 1-1 draw for Juventus in opposition to the six-time champions, Sevilla, within the first leg of the Europa League semifinals Thursday.
Gatti headed within the equalizer within the seventh minute of added time in Turin to maintain alive the Italian staff’s hopes for a European trophy after a protracted drought.
Juventus gained the competitors when it was generally known as the UEFA Cup thrice, most lately in 1993. They should win within the second leg subsequent week to get an opportunity to assert their first European title since profitable the Champions League in 1996.
Sevilla have gained the trophy six instances and the Spanish squad once more proved it’s a title contender.
Youssef En-Nesyri scored within the twenty sixth minute to complete a deadly counterattack for Sevilla, who eradicated Manchester United within the quarterfinals. It was the ahead’s 18th aim in all competitions.
The guests suffered a setback when Lucas Ocampos, who had a number of makes an attempt at aim, needed to be substituted within the thirty fourth on account of an harm.
Sevilla had one other good likelihood however goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny tipped Ivan Rakitic’s shot over the bar.
Earlier, Angel Di Maria helped Juventus create some stress, however it was the guests who struck first.
Sevilla have by no means misplaced a semifinal on this competitors.
Roma stayed heading in the right direction to assert back-to-back European titles by beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 within the first leg of their semifinal.
Jose Mourinho’s staff gained the inaugural version of the third-tier Europa Conference League final yr.
Leverkusen have been on the rise beneath coach Xabi Alonso, who performed for Mourinho at Real Madrid, however Roma had the higher hand at Stadio Olimpico.
Edoardo Bove scored the decider within the 63rd. The 20-year-old midfielder netted his first European aim on a rebound with a left-foot strike after goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky saved the preliminary try by ahead Tammy Abraham.
In the primary half, Hradecky saved the guests within the sport by saving a Roger Ibanez header from shut vary.
Jeremie Frimpong did not capitalize on Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio’s blunder in a transparent likelihood to equalize.
Conference league
Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio led West Ham’s second-half rally to beat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 at London Stadium.
Benrahma transformed from the spot to erase the Dutch staff’s lead earlier than Antonio scored from shut vary.
Tijjani Reijnders put the guests forward 4 minutes earlier than halftime with a strike from exterior the world.
It was a uncommon likelihood for the Dutch at this stage.
The Hammers have been ready for a European trophy for the reason that 1965 title within the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
In Florence, Zeki Amdouni scored in stoppage time as Basel got here from a aim all the way down to stun Fiorentina 2-1. Andy Diouf had equalized within the 71st minute.
In the primary half, Fiorentina saved attacking with Basel holding agency at Stadio Artemio Franchi till Arthur Cabral headed within the opening aim for the hosts following a nook kick within the twenty fifth. It was the seventh aim for the striker, making him the highest scorer within the competitors.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
